Programme Profiles and the Reform of Higher Education in Europe: The Role of Tuning Europe

  • Luigi F. Donà dalle Rose University of Padova, Italy
  • Guy Haug Valencia University of Technologys, Spain
Keywords: Bologna process, competences, curriculum development, employability, Europe, higher education reform, learning outcomes, modernisation of higher education, programme profiling, quality assurance, tuning

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the profiling of higher education programmes in Europe as part of the overall process of higher education reform in Europe over the past decade (2000-2012) and of the role of Tuning in this process. The article starts with a recall of the architecture and objectives of the change process, based on the interplay between the intergovernmental Bologna process (with a main focus on structural change), the European Union’s parallel Agenda for the Modernisation of Higher Education (with a focus on policy change for the Union’s main objectives: growth and jobs, mobility, recognition and attractiveness) and Tuning. The second part of the article provides some data about and examples of the method and importance of Tuning in stimulating and shaping the renovation of higher education programmes, with a focus on Tuning’s initial geographical area (Europe) and a glimpse to other continents, in line with Europe’s need to build up the visibility and attractiveness of its universities in the rest of the world. The final section is a retrospective and analytical reflection about the impact of Tuning on some key dimensions of the agenda for the modernisation of higher education in Europe; while acknowledging that the Tuning method and principles have not always been fully understood by higher education as well as governmental institutions, Tuning has made an outstanding contribution to such key aspects as the relevance, comparability and quality of programmes, the development of quality assurance and accreditation policies and agencies and the recognition of qualifications — both within Europe and with partner countries in other parts of the world.

Published online: 4 July 2014

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Author Biographies

Luigi F. Donà dalle Rose, University of Padova, Italy

Luigi F. Donà dalle Rose is, since 2004, a member and expert of the Italian Team of Bologna Experts. He was professor at the University of Padova (Italy) from 1980-2011. His research activities cover mainly: band theory of metals, quantum electron gas, heat transients by ultra-short laser pulses, solid-liquid metal interface. Since 1995 he took interest in Physics education. He taught Statistical Mechanics; Solid State Physics, Many Body theory; Quantum Mechanics. From 1990 to 2011, Professor Donà dalle Rose was Delegate of the Rector for European Student Mobility at the University of Padova. He was co-founder and member of the Steering Committee of the Socrates TNP-Thematic Network Project for Physics and member of the Coimbra Group Executive Board 2007-2013. Professor Donà dalle Rose was also a member of the Management Committee of the Tuning Project and co-Chair of the Tuning Physics Subject Area Group (2000-2008) in Europe. He holds a “Laurea in Fisica” from the University of Padova (1964).

Guy Haug, Valencia University of Technologys, Spain

Guy Haug is a European expert on higher education policy in an international setting. He is currently advisor on institutional and international development to the Rector (and Rector’s team) of the Valencia University of Technology, Spain, where he is involved in various projects related to accreditation, communication, internationalisation, and mobility. Dr. Haug also is an advisor to governments, international organisations, QA agencies and higher education networks. From 1998 to 2001 he was the main architect of the “Bologna Process”. From 2001 to April 2006, he was Advisor to the European Commission (Directorate for Education) for the creation of an agenda for university modernisation as part of the EU’s Lisbon Strategy for the knowledge era. Until 1998, Dr. Haug was Director General at the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), New York/ Paris. He holds a PhD in Political Science (Tübingen, Germany) and a Doctorate Honoris Causa from HETAC (Ireland).

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Published
2014-04-07
How to Cite
Donà dalle Rose, Luigi F., and Guy Haug. 2014. “Programme Profiles and the Reform of Higher Education in Europe: The Role of Tuning Europe”. Tuning Journal for Higher Education 1 (1), 203-22. https://doi.org/10.18543/tjhe-1(1)-2013pp203-222.